Surf Life Saving New Zealand has selected three national teams for the 2025 International Surf Rescue Challenge, taking place on home soil for the first time in eight years.

The Kiwis will be headed by the open Black Fins team, with the Junior Black Fins and a New Zealand Pathway Team also competing.

The Black Fins’ rich legacy of success includes multiple world championships and consistent top-two finishes at the International Surf Rescue Challenge since its inception in 1937.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) high performance sport manager Tanya Hamilton highlighted the strength of this year’s Black Fins squad, which includes multiple world champions such as Olivia Corrin, Max Beattie, Briana Irving, Oska Smith, Molly Shivnan, Joe Collins and Cory Taylor.

Two talented debutants, Australia-based athlete Pipi Te Pania (Omanu Surf Life Saving Club) and Pippa Nicol (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service), will also join the Black Fins.

“The wealth of experience within this team will undoubtedly elevate the new talent and place the Black Fins in a strong position to secure victory at the International Surf Rescue Challenge,” said Hamitlon.

“It will be a super-proud moment to see the teams compete in front of a home crowd.”

In addition to the Black Fins and Junior Black Fins, three national representative teams were also selected for the Battle of Tasman on the Gold Coast in August 2025, a transtasman event that caters to athletes deeper into the performance pathway.

This competition aims to prepare athletes for the Lifesaving World Championship format, the pinnacle event in lifesaving sport.

“It’s an exciting year for lifesaving sport, with so many athletes having the chance to compete on the international stage,” said Hamilton.

“Exposure to global competition and the experience of performing under pressure will strengthen our sport and the wider lifesaving movement and keep New Zealand competitive on the world stage.”

The International Surf Rescue Challenge is at Mount Maunganui main beach from November 27-30.